A POLICE officer has retired after 30 years with the force to become a professional film-maker.

Flint Community Beat Manager PC Steve Harris hung up his boots last week.

The 53-year-old grandfather has been an ever present figure on Flint’s streets since January 1990.

PC Harris joined the beat in Buckley after completing training school in 1979.

He briefly served in Prestatyn, was a village policeman for five years in Dyserth, then moved to Hawarden before taking up his post in Flint.

“It’s the only thing I’ve really done,” said Steve, of Flint Mountain.

“I suppose I’ve become a familiar figure and the townspeople have become familiar to me.”

Steve says he’s never tired of the role but has been aching to get to grips with another passion, making films.

He’s started his own company Inventive Video Production.

“I started taking it more seriously about five years ago,” he added.

“Now I’m filming professional videos for social occasions, celebrations, sporting events, corporate bodies and local bands like Crazy Diamond.

“I enjoyed everything about the police but this is a completely different challenge without the same sort of pressure but perhaps working every bit as hard.

“When I joined in 1979 all I had was a truncheon and whistle, and in all those years I never once had to draw out staff (use it).

“Flint’s a really nice town to live in and there have been massive improvements. “The working relationship with the town council has been fantastic as well as the county council and schools.

“We’ve all worked together because the police cannot do everything by themselves. “I’ll miss my colleagues. The job brought me into contact with great people in the force and out on the street. My leaving do reminded me as much. We see things the public never sees and deal with it the best way we can.

“There’s an amazing spirit and sense of humour only a police officer possesses.

“My wife Julie and two lads think I’m lucky retiring but appreciate what I’ll be doing.”